System and Method for Always On Connections in Wireless Communications System

ABSTRACT

A method for operating a user equipment (UE) includes determining a first operating state in accordance with a first message traffic generated by a non-session based application executing in the UE, setting a state machine in the UE to the first operating state, and transmitting a first message in accordance with the state machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/150,539, filed on Jan. 8, 2014, which application is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to digital communications, andmore particularly to a system and method for always on connections inwireless communications systems.

BACKGROUND

As User Equipments (UE) become more advanced, they are becoming moreconnected to Evolved NodeBs (eNB)s with different applications runningin the foreground (referred to as a foreground application) and thebackground (referred to as a background application). UEs may also becommonly referred to as terminals, subscribers, users, mobile stations,mobiles, and the like. eNBs may also be commonly referred to as NodeBs,base stations, controllers, communications controllers, access points,and the like.

Foreground applications (and associated message traffic—“foregroundtraffic”) include video streaming, web browsing, file transfer, games,and the like. Background applications (and associated messagetraffic—“background traffic”) include keep alive messages generated by amobile operating system or instant messaging, reports generated bysensors and/or smart meters, and the like. Providing always connectivity(maintaining an existing connection to enable low latency communicationsrather than permitting an existing connection to end and re-establishinganother connection when needed) while conserving energy (to maximizebattery life, for example) is a big challenge.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments of the present disclosure which provide a system andmethod for always on connections in wireless communications systems.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure, amethod for operating a UE includes determining a first operating statein accordance with a first message traffic generated by a non-sessionbased application executing in the UE, setting a state machine in the UEto the first operating state, and transmitting a first message inaccordance with the state machine.

In accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure,a UE includes a processor, and a transmitter operatively coupled to theprocessor. The processor is configured to determine a first operatingstate in accordance with a first message traffic generated by anon-session based application executing in the UE, and to set a statemachine in the UE to the first operating state. The transmitter isconfigured to transmit a first message in accordance with the statemachine.

One advantage of an embodiment is that for UE operating in an ECO state,always on connections may be maintained while energy consumption isminimized.

A further advantage of an embodiment is that communications overhead andlatency are minimized since UEs operating in the ECO state do not needto switch to an active state to support transmissions for backgroundapplications. Eliminating the need to switch states helps to reducemessaging overhead, which reduces communications overhead and increasescommunications system efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communications system according to exampleembodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of an example state machine according toexample embodiments described herein;

FIG. 3a illustrates a first example UE identifier that is a combinationMAC identifier and network resource information according to exampleembodiments described herein;

FIG. 3b illustrates a second example UE identifier that is a combinationof MAC identifier and sleep cycle group information according to exampleembodiments described herein;

FIG. 3c illustrates a diagram of an example grant-free transmissionmechanism for UE in an ECO state according to example embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of an example characterization of messagetraffic generated by applications according to example embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example message exchange diagram according toexample embodiments described herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example message exchange diagram highlightingmessages exchanged in a transition from an ECO state to an ACTIVE stateaccording to example embodiments described herein;

FIG. 7a illustrates a flow diagram of example operations occurring in aUE as the UE sets its state according to example embodiments describedherein;

FIG. 7b illustrates a flow diagram of example operations occurring in aUE as the UE sets its state with state information received from an eNBaccording to example embodiments described herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of example operations occurring in aneNB as the eNB transmits state information to a UE according to exampleembodiments described herein;

FIG. 9a illustrates a flow diagram of example operations occurring in aUE as the UE transitions from an ECO state to an ACTIVE state accordingto example embodiments described herein;

FIG. 9b illustrates a flow diagram of operations occurring in an eNB asthe eNB helps a UE transition from an ECO state to an ACTIVE stateaccording to example embodiments described herein;

FIG. 10a illustrates a flow diagram of example operations occurring in aUE as the UE transitions from an ACTIVE state to an ECO state accordingto example embodiments described herein;

FIG. 10b illustrates a flow diagram of operations occurring in an eNB asthe eNB helps a UE transition from an ACTIVE state to an ECO stateaccording to example embodiments described herein;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example first communications device according toexample embodiments described herein; and

FIG. 12 illustrates an example second communications device according toexample embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The operating of the current example embodiments and the structurethereof are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated,however, that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventiveconcepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts.The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specificstructures of the disclosure and ways to operate the disclosure, and donot limit the scope of the disclosure.

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to always on connections inwireless communications systems. For example, a UE determines a firstoperating state in accordance with a first message traffic generated bya non-session based application executing in the UE, sets a statemachine in the UE to the first operating state, and transmits a messagein accordance with the state machine. As another example, an eNBreceives information about a first message traffic generated by anon-session based application executing in a user equipment (UE),determines an operating state for the UE in accordance with theinformation, and transmits an indication of the operating state to theUE.

The present disclosure will be described with respect to exampleembodiments in a specific context, namely communications systems thatuse support always on connections. The disclosure may be applied tostandards compliant communications systems, such as those that arecompliant with Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), IEEE 802.11,and the like, technical standards, and non-standards compliantcommunications systems, that support always on connections.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communications system 100. Communicationssystem 100 includes an eNB 105 serving a plurality of UEs, including UE110, UE 112, UE 114, UE 116, and UE 118. As discussed previously, as UEsbecome more advanced, they are capable of running a wider range ofapplications. The applications may be classified as either session basedapplications or non-session based applications. Session basedapplications (which may include video streaming, web browsing, filetransfer, games, and the like, applications) are generally applicationsthat utilize a series of data exchanges and have intolerance to largelatencies, generate a lot of message traffic, have large data bandwidthrequirements, and the like. Non-session based applications (which mayinclude keep alive messages generated by a mobile operating system orinstant messaging, reports generated by sensors and/or smart meters, andthe like, applications) are typically applications that utilize shortdata exchanges and some can tolerate large latencies, generate a smallamount of message traffic, have small data bandwidth requirements, andthe like. However, some non-session based applications may not be ableto tolerate large latencies, such as security sensors, health sensors,and the like.

As an illustrative example, UE 110 is running a multi-media streamingapplication, a web browser, as well as an instant messaging application,while UE 112 is running a multi-user video game. Similarly, UE 114 isrunning a web browser while performing a large file transfer, UE 116 isrunning an instant messaging application that is not active and istransmitting keep alive messages to maintain connectivity, while UE 118is a sensor that reports on occasion.

While it is understood that communications systems may employ multipleeNBs capable of communicating with a number of UEs, only one eNB, and anumber of UEs are illustrated for simplicity.

Typically, terminal connection state machines (or simply state machines)are used in UEs to define characteristics of UEs in terms of networkresource usage (e.g., dedicated resources or shared resources), controlchannel usage, control channel monitoring pattern, and the like. Thedesign of the state machine impacts the power consumption of the UEs,network resources (e.g., physical resources, UE identifier allocation,and the like), data transmission latency, control plane signalingoverhead, and the like.

As an illustrative example, if a state machine includes two states:CONNECTED and IDLE with the IDLE state not allowing the UE to transmit,then a UE executing non-session based applications transitions to theCONNECTED state prior to transmitting or receiving transmissions (which,due to the nature of non-session based applications, occursinfrequently). The state transition generally requires the exchange ofmultiple messages between the UE and its eNB, which incurs significantcommunications overhead and communications latency, especially whenconsidering that the UE may be transmitting or receiving messages thatare only a few bytes long (or less).

According to an example embodiment, a state machine may be designed toallow UEs executing non-session based applications to communicate usingbackground messages without having to change states from a first statethat permits substantial energy consumption savings to a second statethat results in greater energy consumption but generally has norestrictions on how the UE communicates.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of an example state machine 200. Statemachine 200 includes two states: ACTIVE state 205 and ECO state 210.ACTIVE state 205 may be designed for a UE that transmitting and/orreceiving message traffic for session based applications, e.g.,interactive and/or foreground (e.g., web browsing, file transfer,instant messaging, chatting, gaming, and the like). ACTIVE state 205 maysupport data transmission and reception with active connectionmanagement (which means that there is a need for short-term linkconnection reports by the UE and need for dynamic resource allocationrequests and grants from an eNB), and employs scheduled, semi-persistentand/or persistent scheduling and grant-free transmission mechanisms. ECOstate 210 may be designed for a UE that is in a power saving state withsome transmitting and/or receiving of message traffic for non-sessionbased applications. ECO state 210 may support data transmission andreception with a light connection management mechanism (which typicallymeans that there is not a need for short-term link connection reports bythe UE and no need for dynamic resource allocation requests and grantsfrom an eNB), and employs a semi-persistent and/or persistent schedulingwith semi-static link adaptation and/or a grant-free transmissionmechanism. Furthermore, ECO state 210 allows for the maintenance of anidentifier for a UE to facilitate data transmission and/or receptionwhile in ECO state 210. ECO state 210 also permits fast transitions toACTIVE state 205 using a dedicated connection signature.

State machine 200 allows state transitions from ACTIVE state 205 to ECOstate 210, from ECO state 210 to ACTIVE state 205, from ACTIVE state 205to ACTIVE state 205, and from ECO state 210 to ECO state 210.

A UE that is in ACTIVE state 205 may be assigned a UE-centric identifier(e.g., a media access control (MAC) identifier) based on its dedicatedconnection signature (DCS) obtained after initial network entry. Whilein ACTIVE state 205, the UE can transmit and/or receive message trafficusing a scheduled grant mechanism (such as in a typical cellularcommunications system), a semi-persistent and/or persistent mechanism,and/or a grant-free mechanism. A detailed discussion of an examplegrant-free mechanism is presented in co-assigned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/911,716, entitled “System and Method for Small TrafficTransmissions,” filed Jun. 6, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference. A detailed discussion of an example dedicated connectionsignature is presented in co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/608,653, entitled “System and Method for User Equipment CentricUnified System Access in Virtual Radio Access Network,” filed Sep. 10,2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

A UE that is ECO state 210 may strive to conserve energy but still isable to transmit and/or receive using the grant-free mechanism and/or asemi-persistent and/or persistent mechanism with semi-static linkadaptation for certain types of message traffic (i.e., non-session basedtraffic). The UE may be assigned a UE-centric identifier (e.g., a MACidentifier) based on its DCS obtained after initial network entry, as inACTIVE state 205. There may be several possibilities for UE-centricidentifier assignment. If the UE-centric identifier space issufficiently large, a unique identifier may be assigned to the UEs inboth ACTIVE state 205 and ECO state 210, meaning that there is aone-to-one mapping between a UE's DCS (which is unique to a UE) and itsUE-centric identifier. If there are not a sufficient number ofUE-centric identifiers, the UE's identifier may be based on acombination of several values, including a UE-centric identifier.

FIG. 3a illustrates a first example UE identifier that is a combinationMAC identifier and network resource information. The first example UEidentifier may be used to identify UEs while they are in an ECO state,such as ECO state 210. An example network resource diagram is shown inFIG. 3a highlighting four network resources identified by their timeresource identifier and frequency resource identifier. As an example,network resource 305 is identified by its frequency resource identifierF1 and time resource identifier T1, while network resource 307 isidentified by its frequency resource identifier F2 and time resourceidentifier T1.

According to an illustrative example, the first example UE identifiermay be expressed as a combination of a UE's MAC identifier and networkresource identifiers. As shown in FIG. 3 a, the UE identifier for afirst UE assigned network resource 305 is (MAC_IDK, F1, T1) 310 and fora second UE assigned network resource 307 is (MAC_IDK, F2, T1), whereMAC_IDK is the MAC identifier assigned to both first UE and second UEfor use in the ECO state, e.g. ECO state 210. The combination of the MACidentifier with the network resource identifiers allows the reuse of aMAC identifier with different UEs.

FIG. 3b illustrates a second example UE identifier that is a combinationof MAC identifier and sleep cycle group information. The second exampleUE identifier may be used to identify UEs while they are in an ECOstate, such as ECO state 210. A first trace 320 and second trace 322 areshown in FIG. 3b illustrating paging cycle groups for UEs, with highperiods representing when UEs in a particular paging cycle group maymonitor a paging channel.

According to an illustrative example, the second example UE identifiermay be expressed as a combination of a UE's MAC identifier and its sleepcycle group information. As shown in FIG. 3 b, the UE identifier for afirst UE of a first paging cycle group is (MAC_IDK, cycle group 1) 325and the UE identifier for a second UE of a second paging cycle group is(MAC_IDK, cycle group 2) 327, where MAC_IDK is the MAC identifierassigned to both first UE and second UE while they were in an ACTIVEstate, e.g., ACTIVE state 205.

Referring back now to FIG. 2, UEs in ECO state 210 may receive pagingmessages transmitted by their respective eNBs on a downlink.Additionally, since the UEs have unique assigned UE identifiers (e.g.,MAC identifiers), data transmission and/or reception is possible.However, to enable energy conservation, grant-free transmission ofnon-session based traffic and/or low-rate traffic is configured.

In general, a UE wakes up from a defined sleep cycle (e.g., as definedby its sleep cycle group) and decodes a data channel for grant-freetransmission. The UEs do not monitor a dynamic control channel sincethere is no scheduled transmission mechanism and therefore, reduceenergy consumption.

FIG. 3c illustrates a diagram of an example grant-free transmissionmechanism for UE in an ECO state. A first trace 340 and second trace 342are shown in FIG. 3c illustrating paging cycle groups for UEs, with highperiods representing when UEs in a particular paging cycle group maymonitor a data channel. As an example, a first UE that is part of firstpaging cycle group may wake up at periods 345 and 346 to monitor a datachannel for grant-free transmissions, and a second UE that is part ofsecond paging cycle group may wake up at periods 347 and 348 to monitora data channel for grant-free transmissions.

Generally, the message traffic generated by applications may need to becharacterized in order to determine which state a UE may be operatingin. As an example, the message traffic generated by an application maybe characterized as either session based traffic (implying that a UEexecuting the application operates in the ACTIVE state) or non-sessionbased traffic (implying that a UE executing the application operates inthe ECO state). Furthermore, if the message traffic generated by anapplication may be characterized as both session based traffic andnon-session based traffic (e.g., in a social networking application,session based traffic may be generated by a chat session and non-sessionbased traffic may be generated by a status update operation), then a UEexecuting such an application may operate in the ACTIVE state in orderto support the session based traffic.

Alternatively, instead of characterizing the message traffic generatedby the applications, the applications may be characterized. As anexample, an application may be characterized as either a session basedapplication or a non-session based application. The characterization ofthe applications may be used to set a UE's state. As an illustrativeexample, UEs executing session based applications may be set to operatein the ACTIVE state, while UEs executing non-session based applicationsmay be set to operating in the ECO state. It is noted that if a UE isexecuting both session based applications and non-session basedapplications, the UE may be set to operate in the ACTIVE state in orderto support the session based applications.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram 400 of an example characterization ofmessage traffic generated by applications. As shown in diagram 400,message traffic generated from a plurality of applications, including(but not limited to) a sensor application 405, a social networkapplication 406, a browsing application 407, and a gaming application408, may be characterized by examining their quality of service (QoS)requirements, for example. As an illustrative example, message trafficfrom sensor application 405 may have a first QoS requirement (type 1)410, as does status update messages from social network application 406.However, chat messages from social network application 406 and messagesfrom browsing application 407 may have a second QoS requirement (type 2)412. Messages from gaming application 408 may have a third QoSrequirement (type 3) 414.

The QoS requirements may be provided to UE states & traffic mappingconfigurations unit 415 (or simply configurations unit), where trafficmapping configuration information may be used to characterize themessage traffic and map the message traffic to ECO state 420, sinceACTIVE state 422 is generally capable of supporting all types oftraffic. As shown in diagram 400, first QoS requirement message trafficmay be mapped to ECO state 420, while second and third QoS requirementmessage traffic may be supported by ACTIVE state 422.

According to an example embodiment, the traffic mapping configurationinformation may be generated by an eNB or a network entity tasked withgenerating the traffic mapping configuration information. According toan alternative example embodiment, the traffic mapping configurationinformation may be specified by a technical standard or by an operatorof the wireless communications system. The traffic mapping configurationinformation may be based on historical data collected by monitoringapplications and the message traffic that they generate, as well as theimpact on the wireless communications system, energy consumption of theUEs, and the like.

According to an example embodiment, the traffic mapping configurationinformation may be provided to the UE. The traffic mapping configurationinformation may be provided to the UE when it performs initial networkentry. The traffic mapping configuration information may be updated. Theupdates may be made to meet changing operating conditions. As anexample, if the power consumption of the UEs is too high, thecharacterization of some of message traffic (or applications) may bechanged from session based to non-session based, and vice versa. Theupdates may be made at specified intervals. The updated traffic mappinginformation may be provided to the UE by broadcast message or amulticast higher layer signaling (such as radio resource control (RRC))message.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example message exchange diagram 500. Messageexchange diagram 500 illustrates messages exchanged between a UE 505 andan eNB 510. As shown in FIG. 5, eNB 510 transmits updated trafficmapping configuration information to UE 505 (shown as event 515). Theupdated traffic mapping configuration information may be broadcast in abroadcast message or multicast in a multicast message.

It is noted that QoS requirement may be one example of how tocharacterize message traffic. Other ways to characterize message trafficmay include data volume (or amount), user priority, applicationpriority, latency sensitivity, and the like. Therefore, the discussionof the use of QoS requirement for characterizing message traffic shouldnot be construed as being limiting to either the scope or the spirit ofthe example embodiments.

A UE may transition states. A UE may transition state for a variety ofreasons, including (but not limited to) the execution of a newapplication on the UE, the ending of an existing application on the UE,and the like. A UE operating in the ECO state may transition to theACTIVE state, and vice versa. As an example, a UE currently operating inthe ECO state may transition to the ACTIVE state if it begins to executea session based application (or an application that generates sessionbased message traffic). Similarly, a UE currently operating in theACTIVE state may transition to the ECO state if it no longer executes asession based application (or an application that generates sessionbased message traffic).

FIG. 6 illustrates an example message exchange diagram 600 highlightingmessages exchanged in a transition from an ECO state to an ACTIVE state.The state transition may be a contention-free access procedure, whichallows for a simple and fast state transition, which may be referred toas a contention-free state transition. Message exchange diagram 600illustrates messages exchanged between a UE 605 and an eNB 610 as UE 605transitions from an ECO state to an ACTIVE state. UE 605 may initiatethe state transition by transmitting a message including its DCS to eNB610 (shown as event 615). eNB 610 may respond by transmitting activestate configuration information to UE 605 (shown as event 620). Theactive state configuration information may include parameters such aspower control information, timing advance information, and the like.

FIG. 7a illustrates a flow diagram of example operations 700 occurringin a UE as the UE sets its state. Operations 700 may be indicative ofoperations occurring in a UE, such as UEs 110-118, as the UE sets isstate.

Operations 700 may begin with the UE performing initial entry with theeNB (block 705). As discussed previously, as part of initial entry orafter initial entry, the UE may receive traffic mapping configurationinformation from the eNB. The UE may determine its state in accordancewith the applications that it is running or the message trafficgenerated by the applications (block 707). As an example, the UE mayutilize the example characterization of message traffic generated byapplications shown in FIG. 4 to characterize the message trafficgenerated by the applications. A similar technique may be used by the UEto characterize the applications instead of the message traffic. The UEmay set its operating state in accordance with the state determined inblock 707 (block 709).

FIG. 7b illustrates a flow diagram of example operations 750 occurringin a UE as the UE sets its state with state information received from aneNB. Operations 750 may be indicative of operations occurring in a UE,such as UEs 110-118, as the UE sets is state with state informationreceived from an eNB.

Operations 750 may begin with the UE performing initial entry with theeNB (block 755). The UE may send information about applications that itis running or the message traffic generated by the applications to theeNB (block 757). Rather than characterizing its applications or themessage traffic by itself, the UE may send the information about theapplications or the message traffic to the eNB to have the eNB performthe characterization and determine the state for the UE. The UE mayreceive state information from the eNB (block 759). The stateinformation may include an indicator of the operating state for the UE.The UE may set its operating state in accordance with the stateinformation (block 761).

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of example operations 750 occurring inan eNB as the eNB transmits state information to a UE. Operations 750may be indicative of operations occurring in an eNB, such as eNB 105, asthe eNB transmits state information to a UE.

Operations 800 may begin with the eNB performing initial entry with theUE (block 805). The eNB may receive information about applications thatthe UE is running or the message traffic generated by the applications(block 807). The eNB may determine an operating state for the UE inaccordance with the information received from the UE (block 809). TheeNB may utilize the example characterization of message trafficgenerated by applications shown in FIG. 4 to characterize the messagetraffic generated by the applications. The eNB may transmit informationabout the operating state (e.g., state information) to the UE (block811).

FIG. 9a illustrates a flow diagram of example operations 900 occurringin a UE as the UE transitions from an ECO state to an ACTIVE state.Operations 900 may be indicative of operations occurring in a UE, suchas UEs 110-118, as the UE transitions from the ECO state to the ACTIVEstate, i.e., participates in a contention-free state transition.

Operations 900 may begin with the UE transmitting a message including aDCS to an eNB (block 905). As discussed previously, the DCS may be aunique value provided to the UE upon network entry. The UE may receive aresponse from the eNB (block 907). The response from the eNB may includeparameters, such as power control information, timing advanceinformation, and the like. The UE may change its state to the ACTIVEstate (block 909).

FIG. 9b illustrates a flow diagram of operations 950 occurring in an eNBas the eNB helps a UE transition from an ECO state to an ACTIVE state.Operations 950 may be indicative of operations occurring in an eNB, suchas eNB 105, as the eNB helps a UE transition from an ECO state to anACTIVE state, i.e., participates in a contention-free state transition.

Operations 950 may begin with the eNB receiving a message including aDCS from the UE (block 955). Since the DCS is unique, the eNB may beable to identify the UE from its knowledge of the DCS. The eNB maytransmit a response to the UE (block 957). The response from the eNB mayinclude parameters, such as power control information, timing advanceinformation, and the like.

FIG. 10a illustrates a flow diagram of example operations 1000 occurringin a UE as the UE transitions from an ACTIVE state to an ECO state.Operations 1000 may be indicative of operations occurring in a UE, suchas UEs 110-118, as the UE transitions from the ACTIVE state to the ECOstate.

Operations 1000 may begin with the UE receiving signaling to change tothe ECO state (block 1005). In general, the transition from the ACTIVEstate to the ECO state is initiated by the eNB. The UE may change itsstate to the ECO state (block 1007). The UE may send a response to theeNB indicating that it has transitioned to the ECO state or willtransition to the ECO state (block 1009).

FIG. 10b illustrates a flow diagram of operations 1050 occurring in aneNB as the eNB helps a UE transition from an ACTIVE state to an ECOstate. Operations 1050 may be indicative of operations occurring in aneNB, such as eNB 105, as the eNB helps a UE transition from an ACTIVEstate to an ECO state.

Operations 1050 may begin with the eNB transmitting signaling to the UEinforming the UE to transition to the ECO state (block 1055). Since thetransition from the ACTIVE state to the ECO state is initiated by theeNB, the eNB sends the signaling to the UE. The eNB may receive aresponse from the UE indicating that it has transitioned to the ECOstate or will transition to the ECO state (block 1057).

FIG. 11 illustrates an example first communications device 1100.Communications device 1100 may be an implementation of a station, a userequipment, a terminal, a subscriber, a mobile station, and the like.Communications device 1100 may be used to implement various ones of theembodiments discussed herein. As shown in FIG. 11, a transmitter 1105 isconfigured to transmit packets, and the like. Communications device 1100also includes a receiver 1110 that is configured to receive packets,state information, traffic mapping configuration information, and thelike.

A characterizing unit 1120 is configured to characterize an applicationbased on message traffic generated by the application. Characterizingunit 1120 is configured to characterize message traffic generated by anapplication. A signaling unit 1122 is configured to generate message fortransmission. A state machine controlling unit 1124 is configured tocontrol a state of a state machine. State machine controlling unit 1124is configured to transition the state machine from a first state to asecond state. State machine controlling unit 1124 is configured totransition the state machine in accordance with traffic mappingconfiguration information, state information, and the like. Statemachine controlling unit 1124 is configured to implement a state machinewith an ACTIVE state and an ECO state, such as shown in FIG. 2. An entryunit 1126 is configured to perform a network entry procedure with aneNB. A memory 1130 is configured to store states, state information,characterizations of applications, characterizations of message traffic,traffic mapping configuration information and the like.

The elements of communications device 1100 may be implemented asspecific hardware logic blocks. In an alternative, the elements ofcommunications device 1100 may be implemented as software executing in aprocessor, controller, application specific integrated circuit, or soon. In yet another alternative, the elements of communications device1100 may be implemented as a combination of software and/or hardware.

As an example, receiver 1110 and transmitter 1105 may be implemented asa specific hardware block, while characterizing unit 1120, signalingunit 1122, state machine controlling unit 1124, and entry unit 1126 maybe software modules executing in a microprocessor (such as processor1115) or a custom circuit or a custom compiled logic array of a fieldprogrammable logic array. Characterizing unit 1120, signaling unit 1122,state machine controlling unit 1124, and entry unit 1126 may be modulesstored in memory 1130.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example second communications device 1200.Communications device 1200 may be an implementation of an AP, a basestation, a NodeB, an eNB, a controller, a communications controller, andthe like. Communications device 1200 may be used to implement variousones of the embodiments discussed herein. As shown in FIG. 12, atransmitter 1205 is configured to transmit packets, state information,traffic mapping configuration information, and the like. Communicationsdevice 1200 also includes a receiver 1210 that is configured to receivepackets, and the like.

A characterizing unit 1220 is configured to characterize an applicationbased on message traffic generated by the application. Characterizingunit 1220 is configured to characterize message traffic generated by anapplication. Characterizing unit 1220 is configured to characterizeapplications and/or message traffic for UE connected to communicationsdevice 1200. A signaling unit 1222 is configured to generate message fortransmission. A state machine controlling unit 1224 is configured togenerate state information to control a state of a state machine. Statemachine controlling unit 1224 is configured to generate stateinformation to transition the state machine from a first state to asecond state. State machine controlling unit 1224 is configured togenerate state information to transition the state machine in accordancewith traffic mapping configuration information, state information, andthe like. An entry unit 1226 is configured to perform a network entryprocedure with a UE. A memory 1230 is configured to store states, stateinformation, characterizations of applications, characterizations ofmessage traffic, traffic mapping configuration information and the like.

The elements of communications device 1200 may be implemented asspecific hardware logic blocks. In an alternative, the elements ofcommunications device 1200 may be implemented as software executing in aprocessor, controller, application specific integrated circuit, or soon. In yet another alternative, the elements of communications device1200 may be implemented as a combination of software and/or hardware.

As an example, receiver 1210 and transmitter 1205 may be implemented asa specific hardware block, while characterizing unit 1220, signalingunit 1222, state machine controlling unit 1224, and entry unit 1226 maybe software modules executing in a microprocessor (such as processor1215) or a custom circuit or a custom compiled logic array of a fieldprogrammable logic array. Characterizing unit 1220, signaling unit 1222,state machine controlling unit 1224, and entry unit 1226 may be modulesstored in memory 1230.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by acommunication device from a user equipment (UE) that is in a firststate, a message to access the communication device, the messageincluding a UE identifier which uniquely identifies the UE, the firststate being different from an active state and supporting a datatransfer connectivity without dynamic resource allocation request andgrant from the communication device; and sending, by the communicationdevice, a response to the UE that is in the first state.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, the first state allowing maintenance of the UEidentifier for a data transmission and/or reception of the UE that is inthe first state and for a state transition of the UE from the firststate to an active state.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe UE identifier is associated with a dedicated connection signature(DCS).
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the response includespower control information and/or timing advance information.
 5. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the response indicates the UE inthe first state to transition from the first state to a second state. 6.The method according to claim 5, wherein the response includesconfiguration information associated with the second state.
 7. Themethod according to claim 5, the second state being the active state. 8.The method according to claim 5, the second state supporting datatransmission and reception with active connection management.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, the data transfer connectivity includingdata transmission and reception.
 10. A method, comprising: sending, by auser equipment (UE) that is in a first state to a communication device,a message to access the communication device, the message including a UEidentifier which uniquely identifies the UE, the first state beingdifferent from an active state and supporting a data transferconnectivity without dynamic resource allocation request and grant fromthe communication device; and receiving, by the UE that is in the firststate from the communication device, a response.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10, the first state allowing maintenance of the UEidentifier for a data transmission and/or reception of the UE that is inthe first state and for a state transition of the UE from the firststate to an active state.
 12. The method according to claim 10, whereinthe UE identifier is associated with a dedicated connection signature(DCS).
 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the responseincludes power control information and/or timing advance information.14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the response indicates theUE in the first state to transition from the first state to a secondstate.
 15. The method according to claim 14, comprising: transitioning,by the UE that is in the first state, to the second state according tothe response.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the responseincludes configuration information associated with the second state. 17.The method according to claim 14, the second state being the activestate.
 18. The method according to claim 14, the second state supportingdata transmission and reception with active connection management. 19.The method according to claim 10, the data transfer connectivityincluding data transmission and reception.
 20. A communication device,comprising a processor coupled with a memory, the processor beingconfigured to: receive, from a user equipment (UE) that is in a firststate, a message to access the communication device, the messageincluding a UE identifier which uniquely identifies the UE, the firststate being different from an active state and supporting a datatransfer connectivity without dynamic resource allocation request andgrant from the communication device; and send a response to the UE thatis in the first state.
 21. A first communication device, comprising aprocessor coupled with a memory, wherein when the first communicationdevice is in a first state, the first state being different from anactive state and supporting a data transfer connectivity without dynamicresource allocation request and grant from a second communicationdevice, the processor is configured to: send, to the secondcommunication device, a message to access the second communicationdevice, the message including a UE identifier which uniquely identifiesthe UE; and receive a response from the second communication device.